Well, my first day is planned. Only 189 to go. (Hollow laugh) My day has been pretty weird - I've been immersing myself in reading books, texts, and handouts, but every once in awhile, a powerful lethargy takes over my entire body. Rescue Remedy is helping, although not as much as I'd like. Then again, Rescue Remedy wasn't formulated to make sense of thick curriculum documents, much less reassure me in the face of 5 different lists containing hundreds of things "you absolutely must do on the first day or your students will suffer, you total choad."

At least, I don't think it was formulated to that purpose.

Other than the low-level panic, it's been a lovely day. The Boy has begun to assume the lion's share of housework, as I'm a bit too stressed to attempt the pile of dirty dishes we've been collecting over the past few days. The sun's been shining, my parents dropped off another dresser for the bedroom, and our supply of Diet Coke remains adequate. The best part was the evening, though. The Boy & I went to Kalendar for dinner, both because I was famished and because it seemed like a good thing to get away from the books for a few hours. One of my goals this year is to move away from reacting (coming home, going into a coma, working late into the night) to anticipating (relaxing before something is to start, working hard while I still have the adrenaline pumping through my veins). I'm hoping that this will become a regular Sunday night ritual. Of course, we don't always have to drop a bundle on Kalendar scrolls. I like the $4 all-day breakfast at KOS, too.

I think I'm going to tuck myself in now. After all, I've got a long sleepless night ahead. I'm in the chute now; the roof is closing over my head. Goodbye, sky. See you in June.

3 years ago today: the upward spiral